title: [Comparative cost analysis of molecular biology methods in the diagnosis of sarcomas].
abstract: Sarcomas represent a complex and heterogeneous group of rare malignant tumors and their correct diagnosis is often difficult. Recent molecular biological techniques have been of great diagnostic use and there is a need to assess the cost of these procedures in routine clinical practice. Using prospective and observational data from eight molecular biology laboratories in France, we used "microcosting" method to assess the cost of molecular biological techniques in the diagnosis of five types of sarcoma. The mean cost of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was 318 € (273-393) per sample; mean reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cost ranged from 300 € (229-481) per formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimen to 258 € (213-339) per frozen specimen; mean quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) cost was 184 € (112-229) and mean CGH-array cost was 332 € (329-335). The cost of these recently implemented techniques varied according to the type of sarcoma; the method of tissue collection and local organizational factors including the level of local expertise and investment. The cost of molecular diagnostic techniques needs to be balanced against their respective performance.
authors.affiliation: Institut Curie, département de santé publique, 26, rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baffert
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Italiano
authors.forename: Gaëlle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pierron
authors.forename: Marie-Angèle
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Traoré
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rapp
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Escande
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ghnassia
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Terrier
authors.forename: Anne-Claire
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Voegeli
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ranchere-Vince
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Coindre
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pedeutour
mesh_terms: D055028:Comparative Genomic Hybridization / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D018223:Dermatofibrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000191:economics*; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D016612:Paraffin Embedding / Q000191:economics*; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics*; D018232:Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics
keywords: cost; methods for diagnosis; microcosting; molecular biology; sarcomas